My voyage on board TS Royalist from the 15th to the 21st of November has proven to be the highlight of my year! From sailing skilfully across the English Channel, gaining my Offshore Hand Two qualification, and forming family-like bonds with the 22 other cadets on-board, the cold that was constantly nipping at my fingers and the constant rocking of the boat paled in comparison.

Throughout my journey from Gosport to Cowes, docking in Poole Harbour, traversing back to Cowes — a journey prolonged a day due to stormy weather — then helming TS Royalist back into Gosport, was an interesting and worthwhile venture to say the least. “Bracing stations!” is often screamed when sailing TS Royalist, requiring all cadets to abandon their tasks and muster at their assigned stations on the foredeck to help control the sails (t’gallant, topsail, and the course) perched upon twin masts, and to heave the various handling lines like the clewline, buntlines, and leechlines, all equipped with different functions.

Overall, this trip has reignited my passion to join the Navy as a Hydrographer, as the community, teamwork, and knowledge gained have forever altered my life.

- Corrie Gordon, Year 13